NDIS Exercise Physiology: A Guide for Support Coordinators and Plan Managers

Why exercise physiology is one of the most valuable NDIS supports

Exercise physiology sits in a unique position within the NDIS allied health landscape. Unlike many therapeutic supports that focus on specific skills or symptom management, exercise physiology addresses foundational physical capacity — strength, endurance, balance, coordination and motor function — that underpins nearly every other goal in a participant's plan.

For support coordinators managing participants with a wide range of disability types, an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP) is often the most versatile allied health professional on the team. A well-designed exercise program can support goals across multiple plan domains simultaneously: daily living, community participation, employment and health wellbeing.

Which NDIS support categories fund exercise physiology?

Support Category 07 — Improved Daily Activities

This is the most commonly used category for exercise physiology. It funds therapeutic supports that build the participant's skills, capacity and independence in daily activities. Exercise physiology is appropriate here when sessions target functional capacity building — for example, improving upper limb strength for self-care, building endurance for community participation, or developing the motor skills needed for employment tasks.

Support Category 06 — Improved Health and Wellbeing

This category funds exercise physiology when it is focused on managing the health impacts of a disability — for example, preventing secondary conditions, maintaining cardiac health, or managing the metabolic effects of medication or reduced mobility. Not all participants have Category 06 in their plans, so check the plan before booking.

What disability types respond well to exercise physiology?

Exercare's exercise physiologists work with a broad range of NDIS disability types including:

• Neurological: Cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury
• Neurodevelopmental: Autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, ADHD
• Physical: Limb difference, musculoskeletal disability, chronic pain conditions
• Psychosocial: Where physical health and capacity building supports recovery and social participation
• Degenerative: Conditions requiring maintenance programs to slow functional decline

What to look for in an NDIS exercise physiology provider

When selecting an exercise physiology provider for a participant, look for:

• Current ESSA accreditation (AEP credential) — verifiable at essa.org.au
• Experience with the participant's specific disability type
• Mobile delivery capability if the participant has transport barriers
• Clear and timely progress reporting for plan reviews
• Willingness to participate in team meetings and liaise with other providers
• Transparent invoicing at or below the NDIS price guide
• Registration status — registered providers can work with agency-managed participants; unregistered providers can work with plan-managed and self-managed participants only

Exercare is accredited with ESSA and currently operates as an unregistered NDIS provider, meaning we work with plan-managed and self-managed participants. NDIS registration is on our current roadmap — contact us for an update on our registration status.

The referral and onboarding process at Exercare

1. Initial contact — support coordinator or participant contacts Exercare by phone or via the NDIS intake form
2. Funding confirmation — we confirm the participant's plan type (plan-managed or self-managed), relevant support categories and budget availability
3. Initial assessment — an accredited exercise physiologist conducts a full functional capacity assessment at the participant's preferred location
4. Program design — a personalised exercise program is developed linked to the participant's NDIS goals
5. Ongoing sessions — regular supervised exercise sessions, typically weekly or fortnightly
6. Progress reporting — written progress notes provided after each session; formal progress reports for plan reviews on request

Progress reporting and plan review support

One of the most valuable things an exercise physiologist can do for a participant approaching plan review is provide a comprehensive progress report. A well-written EP progress report should include:

• Baseline functional capacity at the start of the plan period
• Measurable outcomes achieved (strength, endurance, balance, functional tasks)
• Goals met and goals in progress
• Recommended support hours and frequency for the next plan period
• Clinical rationale for continued or increased exercise physiology funding

Exercare provides detailed progress reports for plan reviews at no additional charge. If you need a report for an upcoming review, contact us at least two weeks in advance.

Invoicing and claiming for plan managers

Exercare invoices for exercise physiology sessions at or below the current NDIS price guide rate for therapeutic supports. For plan-managed participants, invoices are sent directly to the plan manager referencing the participant's NDIS number and support category. For self-managed participants, invoices are provided directly to the participant for claiming through the NDIS myplace portal.

All invoices include the service date, provider ABN, support category, and session description as required by NDIS invoicing standards.

This article was written by the Exercare team. Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology across south-east Melbourne for NDIS plan-managed and self-managed participants. ABN 87 675 368 528. Learn more about Exercare →